GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 15 ~ ~ Ecclesiastes 1:6-7 ~ ~ “The wind goes toward the south,

And turns around to the north;  The wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit.

All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come,

There they return again.”

Continuing in the book, “How to Read the Bible” by Dr. Michael Youssef of Leading the Way Min.

Chapter 9 ~ ~ Wisdom of the Kingdom: The Books of Solomon

Section: “Ecclesiastes:  Everything Under the Sun

The book of Ecclesiastes has had a profound impact on our musical culture.  In the 1950’s, folk singer Pete Seeger penned a song called, “Turn!  Turn!  Turn!” which became a rock anthem for the 1960’s counterculture;  it is based on a passage from this book.

Likewise, the song, “Dust in the Wind” by the rock band Kansas is a meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:14 (“all things that are done under the sun…..are meaningless, a chasing after the wind”)  and 3:20 (“all come from dust, and to dust all return”).  And Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” is a song about a king who “used to rule the world” but as he hears the ringing of “Jerusalem bells,” he reflects on the brevity and emptiness of a life built on “pillars of sand.”  It sounds much like Solomon’s musings in Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes has a reputation for being full of doom and gloom, a depressing assessment of the meaninglessness of life.  And while it often expresses a sense of existential bleakness, much of the book is inspiring, hopeful and uplifting.

For example, Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  And Ecclesiastes 9:7 encourages us to “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do”

Ecclesiastes is not a book of despair, but of wisdom.  Solomon’s main theme is that it is wise to face facts, acknowledge the brevity of life, and confess that – from a purely human perspective, apart from God – life IS INDEED meaningless.

When Solomon was king of Israel, two women came before him so he could judge their dispute.  They lived in the same house and had given birth within days of each other.  One of the babies had died in the night, and each woman claimed that the living baby was her own.

King Solomon said, “Bring me a sword.”  When it was brought, Solomon announced his decision:  the baby would be cut in half and each woman would receive one half.

One woman agreed with Solomon’s decision, saying, “neither I nor you shall have him.  Cut him in two!!!

But the other woman pleaded, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby!  Don’t kill him!”

Then Solomon ordered that the baby be given to the woman who pleaded for the baby’s life.  She had proven herself to be the true mother of the child.

The Biblical account concludes, “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice” (See 1 Kings 3:16-28)

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II Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Mark 16&17

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues:  

Rev. 12:11                                                                                             

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.

        Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.                                                                            

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